Having Chickens as Pets

Are there any chicken lovers out there? It would be nice to chat with other chicken, guinea, duck, geese and pigeon fanciers! Or any other yard bird! As of right now, I have 4 guineas, 3 bantams, 2 brown leghorns, 2 gold leghorns, 2 New Hampshire blacks, 4 Rhode Island reds, 2 Easter chickens and one brown leghorn with vertigo that we keep in a rabbit cage. They all have names and personalities to boot!

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The little lady with vertigo would have died if we had not rescued her from a feed store. She can't keep her balance well and she was in a large aquarium with loads of guineas. They trampled her constantly! She is rotten from the attention we give her and seems perfectly content in her cage or staying on the deck with us, away from the other birds. She's getting stronger and is gaining better muscle control and balance. "Gotta love the birds!" My dog is jealous of the birds and even eats their food! I see her outside, fighting over chicken and dumplings, scraps of all sorts that I give the chickens. They're fun to watch.

You're not alone, I have had chickens since 1988 I even had 1 that would take a nap with my dad.

I'm not allowed to have more than 25 it 1 time but I don't think that counting the babies mine are all bantams and I was given 4 purebred I haven't figured out with those are yet. I know I have white ones, black one's, brown ones, a couple of roosters, and a mallard duck. They are totally free range my vegetable garden is in the cage.

No dear, you are not alone. I have quite a selection of birds. They all have names and are loved! I tend to take in handicapped too! I call them "special". I also have other farm animals and domestic. We love them all! I've been called Elly May and Mother Goose too! Yes, we live in the country.

I have had chickens most my life. I currently have 35 chickens, including silkies. You need more than one chicken. They do not do well alone. I recommend at least 3, but you could probably have 2 and be OK. Silkies can not fly, so will need a secure safe place where predators can not get to them.

I recommend a movable chicken tractor and a small hutch. Depending on your weather, you may need a heat lamp for them during the winter. Your local county extension office can give you information about breeds and the care they need for your area of the country.